Lake George Winter Carnival kicks off this weekend

HOLD ON! A team of competitors in the 2012 Lake George Winter Carnival outhouse race lurch off the starting line, giving their rider a reason to reach for the handrails. This team, digging in to drag their custom-built craft toward a finish line, represented Home Depot of Queensbury. The 2014 edition of this competition is to be held this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. This notorious race has been written up in the New York Times as well as appearing in national television broadcasts.
Photo by Tim Weatherwax/One Shot Photography

After several years of mild weather causing problems for the Lake George Winter Carnival, frigid temperatures creating thick lake ice means the 53rd annual Lake George Winter Carnival will be offering a wide variety of activities every weekend in February.

The carnival will kick off this Saturday, Feb. 1 with opening ceremonies held at noon on Shepard Park Beach.

Following the ceremony will be the annual Lake George Winter Carnival outhouse races, beginning at 12:30 p.m.. Prizes will be awarded for to the teams propelling their homemade outhouse with the greatest speed over the lake’s ice. Interested parties are to register at Duffy’s at 10 a.m. on Saturday or call 668-5323 for details.

Thanks to sub-zero temperatures this winter, there’s plenty of ice on the lake for motor-sports racing and ice skating, snowmobiling and the many activities atop the ice for which the Winter Carnival is famous, Carnival organizer Linda Duffy said.

“The past few years haven’t been great for ice activities on the lake, but this year the ice is safe,” Duffy said. “We’re happy to have the cold temperature — it expands what we can offer.”

A chili cook-off between local restaurants will be held at Shepard Park around 12:30 Saturday. The contest will be judged by guests tasting the array of culinary creations.

Hosted by Prospect Mountain Diner, the annual Winter Carnival parade will occur at 4 p.m. Saturday. The procession will include floats, marching bands and a variety of entertainment for all ages.

Enjoy a bonfire every Saturday evening non the beach. Warm up near the fire while checking out the fireworks. Don’t forget to enjoy some s’mores fireside, while taking in the talents of local musician Rich Ortiz.

Sponsored by King Neptune’s Pub, the 4x4 truck ice drag races and ice diving demonstrations by Rich Morin’s Scuba Center will take place the weekend of Feb. 8 and Feb. 9.

Every weekend, family fun includes children’s games, kids indoor mini golf, a giant tubing slide, and cook-offs of a variety of savory foods. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy, for a fee, rare views of Lake George from a hot air balloon or helicopter ride.

Children’s activities consisting of arts and crafts sessions and outside activities are to be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday free of charge.

For a detailed schedule of events, see: www.lakegeorgewintercarnival.com or call 240-0809.